Story 5

Diversity and tolerance is a very hot topic in the modern world that attracts all kinds of people with differing views. That could at least been implied from the people in attendance to a showing of the PBS documentary about the Stonewall uprising.

For those who do not know, the Stonewall uprising was a two day long riot in the early 1960’s, where the gay community rioted after a police raid of the Stonewall bar in Greenwich Village, New York. The riot was largely a response to brutal police tactics that had been used up to this point against gays and a showing of anger due to the poor treatment they had received from society at large. In the 1960’s being gay was still seen as a mental illness that someone could as to another and was largely assorted with pedophiles and other heavily disliked groups in society. Police and vandals tended to see gays as easy targets and would attack them for fun knowing that it was unlikely that they would be reported.

The Stonewall itself was a mafia run gay bar. At the time the mafia controlled most of the gay social centers due to cities not giving any type of business license to anyone who was openly gay or wanted to target a gay demographic. Criminals, the mafia especially, on the other hand saw only dollar signs and allowed some their buildings to be converted into bars and clubs for gays to socialize in with high rent and inflated drinks. This criminal connection gave the police even more reason to raid the establishments.

The” uprising” occurred when occurred when the police attempted to raid the Stonewall and rather than accepting their arrest many patrons fought back. This lead to a reverse of the situation that left the police blockaded inside the bar with reporters for protection and the masses rioting and destroying nearby property outside. The situation was somewhat brought down when riot police arrived and scared off or arrested many of the people but the violence continued for a few more days in isolated cases. Many gay rights supports also had an impromptu march to Central Park the day after the riot and were not harassed by police for fear of a second riot.

The documentary showing attracted around 25 people at its height although many showed up late. The crowd was fairly mixed with many different kinds of people. The crowd thinned near the ending of the film leaving only around ten (including the reporter). The crowd also dispersed before any discussion could be had. This largely gave the feeling that most were there for extra credit or as work for a class. This seemed to disappoint the presenters who did seem to want to have some type of organized discussion but the general crowd seemed to have other things to do. Still the documentary provided insight on a less remember moment that some consider one the biggest moment in the race for gay rights and gay acceptance.

Story 4 Jamie Interview

If you want opinions you can always as a sports fan and Jamie Newburg is no exception when he shares his views on his favorite team, why he loves sports and more.

Like many sports fans Jamie had competition streak in him at a young age. “I started playing basketball in middle school and just fell in love with the competitiveness and the team aspect” he said “and over my middle and high school years my love has and interest has continued to grow.” Even watching games has found a way to stimulate Jamie as in athlete as studies players movements to find skills and movements that he can transfer to himself to improve his own fame. While basketball was the game that truly brought out the passion in him it is not his personal game of choice to play. “If I could play any sport professionally I think I would like to be a golfer! It requires tons of practice and dedication, but golfers travel the world see the most beautiful courses in pristine condition and it is an easy sport on your body.”

While golf may be Jamie’s dream sport to play he is still a basketball fan at heart. Like many fans, Jamie has found love in college level basketball with his favorite team being the MN Men’s Gopher basketball team, a team where he personally knows some of the players. When it comes to players Jamie favors the pros with his favorite player being Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors who won the NBA All-Rookie Team award in 2010. Jamie would even love mix both college and pro together through his dream match between the MN Timberwolves and any Eastern Conference representative in the NBA finals which he sees as the ultimate MN fan experience.

Wither it’s the great team work, the pure athleticism or the beauty of a good strategy gone right you can guarantee that Jamie will stay a sports fan in the future.

Interview transcript

Jamie Newburg interview transcript

(I conversed before the interview asked for his interests so I knew that he enjoyed sports)



1.What is your favorite sport?
Basketball is my favorite sport to play!

2.Why is it your favorite?
Basketball is my favorite because I love the idea of being part of a team. And in the sport of basketball more than any other sport I believe you can see a team's chemistry most clearly. Whether it's one unit working hard on defense all playing help side defense or if it’s a finely tuned offense with ball movement .If a basketball team is working together and smoothly it can be a beautiful thing to watch. I also believe basketball requires more than any other sport a well-rounded athlete to succeed.

3. Who is your favorite team (if it has teams)?
MN gophers mens basketball is my favorite team.

4. Why is it your favorite?
For me mostly because I know and have played with many of the guys on the roster. They play a very up tempo style which is a very fun brand of basketball to watch.

5. Who is your favorite player?
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

6. Why are they your favorite?
He is a magnificent shooter. He is also the smoothest player I have seen and he plays so poised which is huge in basketball.

7. What is your “dream match” of your favorite sport?
My dream matchup would be the MN Timberwolves vs. any Eastern Conference representative in the NBA finals. It would be huge for the state of MN for the wolves to contend for an NBA title and I can’t think of a better event for a fan like me to be at.

8. When did you get interested in sports and why?
I have just always been extremely competitive. As I was really young my desire to compete and want to win just intensified. I started playing basketball in middle school and just fell in love with the competitiveness and the team aspect and over my middle and high school years my love has and interest has continued to grow.

9. If you could play any of them professionally would you?
If so which one? If I could play any sport professionally I think I would like to be a golfer! It requires tons of practice and dedication, but golfers travel the world see the most beautiful courses in pristine condition and it is an easy sport on your body.
10. Do you go to games and if so what is the best part?
I regularly attend all kinds of events, I simply enjoy watching people who are great at what they do, I love taking things I see from professionals and trying to somehow incorporate their skills and hard work to make myself a better athlete.

Story 3

Today at 4 pm a robbery was committed at in a convenience store parking lot but the tables were turned on the robber thanks to the action of the victim, Michele Schipper.

Schipper had just pulled into a parking space on the side of a convenience store on Bonneville Drive and had turned around to reach into her car to get her purse when a man leaped out from behind a dumpster and demanded her purse. Schipper faked compliance and when the man approached turned around kicked the mugger in the groin as well as, in her own words, “gave him a roundhouse to the nose”. As Schipper heard crunching and saw blood spurting, a likely sign that she had broken his nose, she quickly reentered her car and drove a motel down the street to call the police.

“I was very, really indignant” Schipper said while recalling her reactions. “Why, you know, just because he wanted my purse, why should he have it?” Schipper stated that there was only $10 in her purse and that she probably wouldn’t do the same thing if she was put in the situation again. Schipper also claimed that her parents would be “very angry she fought back.” She accounted her strength to working with her father who is involved with weight lifting, boxing and other physical activities.

Schipper described the man as being six feet tall and not being armed form what she could tell. She says that the clerks did not see the robbery and that no one else were parked around her and the robbery only lasted a second. When speaking to the police, Schipper said the last time she saw the robber he was “On the ground”. The police have yet to find the robber.